You see raccoon, I see fox and the alchemy that has eluded me all day, arrowing straight across my path, crossing me, hailing me, startling me awake. The car fills with a babbling like bubbles under rushing water. In all the dark we are a crucible of light. You give me fox, like a gift. I accept it.

We have spent all the money in our pockets on silk flowers and a vase. I feast on cheese and sauerkraut as you wrestle the blooms into surprising grace.